Do brakes 'loosen up' quickly?

pow wow

Sorry if that's a horribly girly way of putting it!

I've had my car for about two weeks now, when I test drove it and for a couple of days when I got it home (after it had been approved for the warranty etc) the brakes were incredibly sharp, you'd only have to tap the pedal and it would stop dead. Now however it takes a lot more pressing of the brake to get it to slow down/stop (taking into account what gear I'm in etc.).

I was just wondering if this is normal or the fact they've 'loosened' so quickly is something to be worried about?

Thanks

cantdecide

I don't think they should loosen at all. If there has been a dramatic loosening, I would take it back tbh, especially with the weather we've been having. What car is it?

It could also be that you've sub-consciously tuned into you're sharp brakes.

pow wow

I suppose so yeah, when I test drove it and braked coming out of the dealership I thought I'd hit something the way it just stopped dead by pressing the brake lightly.

It's an 04 polo 1.2 E55.

crosstownk

What car were you driving before the Polo?

They may have put new pads on it before they handed it over. You may need to bed the brakes in. It should be in your user manaul.

It usually involves bringing the car up to speed then breaking firmly without locking the wheels. This should be repeated a few times.

For the rears if they are disk brakes it involves partially applying the handbreak so there is some resisitance felt and driving a short distance.

pow wow

crosstownk wrote: »

What car were you driving before the Polo?

An 06 swift.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll give it a shot.

testicle

I suspect the OP has just gotten used to their new brakes.

pow wow

lol I hope that's all it is!

Thanks to all who replied.